Safety razor



May 29,1951 J. R. AYoTTE u 2,555,105

SAFETY RAZOR Filed June 25, 1946 @7m-WY Patented May 29, 1951 UNITEDSTATES PATENT FFICE SAFETY RAZOR Joseph Rene Ayotte, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 25, 1946, Serial No. 679,223

(Cl. Sil- 69) 2 Claims. i

This invention relates to improvements in razors of the so-called safetytypes, and more particularly, has reference to improvements in the typeof safety razor construction described and claimed in my United StatesLetters Patent No. 2,348,590, dated May 9, 1944.

The invention has for an object to provide a razor in which adjustmentbetween the guard and clamping plates thereof may be effected in amanner whereby a blade arranged between the `same will have its cuttingedge selectively and precisely adjusted and/or positioned and thensecured with relation to the guard plate to afford advantageous, and atthe same time, maximum shaving efficiencies, more especially, wherebythe greatest possible results and shaving satisfaction will be attainedwhen the razor is used to remove beards of heavy, light, soft, tough orother character.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a razorconstruction whereby, with visually guided precise, relativeselectiveadjustment between the guardV and clamping plates, a blade positioned orreceived therebetween will be bodily moved and then firmly securedagainst any and all possibility of relative movement, incontradistinction to being bodily exed, and so, permitted to shave asurface with materially greater efficiency, comfort and satisfaction tothe user.

Another salient feature of the invention is to provide theinterengageable razor guard and clamping plates with means which willvisually facilitate their predetermined relative angular adjustment to aiine degree and, in addition, serve to guide such plates during andthroughout their movement of relative adjustment, hence, assuring properassembled positioning of the same and the proper retention of anedge-adjusted blade by and between the saine.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a highly novel andadvantageous form of connection between the guard and clamping platesand the razor handle, so constructed that flush and full bearingengagement will, at all times and irrespective of the degree of theirrelative angular adjustment or positioning, be effected between adjacentportions of the guard plate and the handle, thus providing for solidityand stability of the construction, and moreover, eliminating theexistence of space or crevices between such parts, in which foreignmatters might accumulate, and in so doing, materially detract from thecleanliness and sanitary features of the device.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, ad-

vantages and meritorious teachings of my invention, will be in partobvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosurethereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, itbeing understood that the form of the invention presented herein isprecise and what is now considered to be the best mode of embodying itsprinciples, but that modications and changes may be made in specificembodiments without departing from its essential features.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved razor, with a portion ofthe handle thereof broken away and shown in section.

Figure 2 is a rear side elevation of the interengaged parts of therazor, i. e., the guard and clamping plates and a portion of the handle.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the normally inner face side of the razorguard plate.

Figure 4 is a similar view of the normally inner face side of theclamping plate.

Figure 5 is an elevation of a form of blade advantageous for use inconnection with my improved razor.

Figure 6 is a transverse section through the assembled blade holderconstruction, including the guard and clamping plates, and a fragment ofthe handle, in which the clamping plate has been adjusted to effectpositioning of the blade between `the same and the guard plate forcutting or shaving light or soft beards, and

Figure '7 is a like View, but wherein the blade is positioned betweenthe guard and clamping plates of the razor, for cutting orshaving heavyor tough beards.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the invention comprises, ingeneral, interengageable members in the form of a guard plate l, aclamping plate 2 xedly carrying, intermediately of its opposite ends, asubstantially right-angularly disposed screw-threaded stud 3, and ahandle il having a co-axially disposed internally screwthreaded opening5 formed in and opening onto its normally inner end, adapted, withassembly of the guard and clamping plates, to have the screw-threadedstud 3 turned thereinto.

I nd it advantageous to employ a shaving blade, such as indicated by thenumeral 6, in the improved razor construction.

The guard plate l, of substantially rectangular shape, has a straightedge guard or skin engaging bar 'i on one side thereof, whose outer faceis transversely curved (see Figures 3 and 6) to cause its even andsmooth engagement with sliding movement over a bearded or hair-growingskin area. The surface curved bar 'I, as will be observed on referenceto Figure 6 of the drawings, is laterally offset from the guard plate Iand said plate is longitudinally shouldered, as at 8, along and over theentire length of its normally inner face. The shoulder 8 is straight andis arranged in spaced and parallel relation to the bar I and has itssurface slightly transversely curved or rounded, for a purposehereinafter more fully described. The opposite and parallel side of theguard plate I is laterally offset throughout its length in a directioncorresponding to that of the bar "I, as at 9, and has a right angularlyshaped recess I) formed therein medially of its opposite ends. Also, amedially located opening II, of shape and size to permit free entranceand engagement therethrough of the clamping plate carried screw-threadedstud 3, is formed in the guard plate I in proximity to thoughtransversely spaced from the guide way IS. A portion of the materialfrom which said guard plate is constructed, adjacent and about theopening II, is drawn or otherwise suitably formed to constitute anoutwardly extending and surface curved or rounded ange or swivel-headelement I2. The opening therethrough aligns with the opening II in theguard plate and is of a shape and size as will permit free passage ofthe screwthreaded stud 3 therethrough (see Figure 6), particularly, whenthe plates I and 2 are assembled in interengaged and operativerelationship. Notched portions or angular pockets I3 are formed in theopposite ends of the guard plate I inwardly of the bar l in proximity tothe ends of f.'

the shoulder 8, and receive therein the free portions of guide pins(hereinafter described) carried by the clamping plate 2.

The clamping plate 2 is of a shape similar to that of the guard plate I,save that its width is somewhat less. Thus, when positioned adjacent theguard plate, in the manner shown in Figures l, 2 and 6, the laterallyoiiset bar portion I will be extended for a distance beyond the nearside thereof, as is usual in razor blade holders of the herein concernedtypes, allowing the bar, alone, to have contact with a to-be-shavedsurface, and also, baring the edge portion of the plate 6 positioned andsecured therebetween, for an obvious purpose. point, that a portion ofthe clamping plate 2 overlies the guard plate provided longitudinalshoulder 8 throughout its entire length.

The normally inner face of the clamping plate 2 is, preferably, slightlytranversely curved or dished, while its outer face may be transverselycurved or convex. Consequently, with the blade 6 arranged longitudinallyof the same adjacent its dished normally inner face, a spaced though rmbearing point contact between the two members (clamping plate and blade)will be effected, as is well shown in Figures 1 and 6 of the drawings.

Shaving blade engaging and guide fingers I4 are xedly carried by and onthe normally inner face of the clamping plate 2 near, though in spacedrelation to its inner edge or side and at its opposite ends, and extendtherefrom at substantially right angles. The positioning of said fingersis such that when the clamping plate 2 is operatively interengaged withthe guard plate i, they will enter into and through the aforesaidangular recesses I3 in the guard plate, and so, assist in preventingrelative turning movement It is to be also noted, at this i' andclamping adjusted for attaining or providing different shavingeiciencies, a screw-threaded opening is formed in an intermediateportion of the clamping plate outwardly and transversely of its straightsided basal portion I5, and has an adjusting screw I6 turned thereintoand therethrough. The outer end of said screw is formed with a knurledor otherwise suitable type of head il, capable of being conveniently andeiectually engaged or gripped for turning in either direction.

A right angularly disposed and inwardly extending adjustment indicatingnger I8 having straight and parallel sides, is integral with orotherwise lixed to the outer edge or side portion of the clamping plate2, outwardly of and in proximity to the headed adjusting screw I6, inthe manner shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. lts positioning on saidplate is such that when the plate is engaged with the guard plate I,with the guide ngers I4 received in the recesses I3 of the latter plate,said adjustment indicating nger will be snugly and slidably received inand through the guide way I0 in the guard plate 2. Markings, such as theletters H, M, and L, are presented on the outer face of the indicatingringer I8, and by selectively aligning them, or any one of them, with anappropriate marking on an adjacent portion of the near edge of the guardplate 2, visual indication or noting of angular adjustment between theguard and the clamping plate may be determined and eiected. Thus, byturning the adjusting screw I6 in the required direction and to thenecessary extent, relative angular positioning of and between the guardand clamp-ing plates for attaining a particularly desired edgeadjustment of the blade 6 arranged therebetween, can be preciselyattained, whereby to afford a particular shaving efliciency, i. e., amost advantageous and/or efcient positioning of the blade for shavingdifferent characters of beard--light, heavy, soft, or tough.

It will be also understood and appreciated that the adjustmentindicating finger I8, by reason of its snug and slidable engagement inand through the guide way I0 of the guard plate I, will serve to preventany and all possibility of material lateral or end wise shiftingmovement by and between the guard and clamping plates, respectively; itbeing borne in mind that the opposite sides of the adjustment indicatingringer I6 are straight and relatively parallel, hence, that they willensure a true transverse and straight path of travel or movement betweenthe guard and clamping plates I and 2, respectively, with movement andultimate assembling of said plates.

As heretofore stated, a type or form of shaving blade, such as shown inFigure 5 of the accompanying drawings and indicated by the numeral G, ispreferably employed in my improved razor. This blade consists oi asubstantially rectangular body sharpened along one of its edges, as atI9, and having laterally extended and longitudinally aligned ears .2s onits Aopposite ends. An intermediate portion of the opposite side of theblade body, that is, that side opposite to the sharpened edge I9, is cutaway or recessed, as at 2l, and the inner side of such recessed portionis Vof bowed or arcuate formation, as indicated by the numeral 22.

In using this particular type of blade in my improved razor, it is to beunderstood that the guard and clamping plates I and 2, respectively, aredisengaged. Thereupon, it is preferable that the clamping plate 2 shallbe held with its normally inner face side uppermost and in asubstantially horizontal plane so that the blade t can be convenientlylaid on that portion of said normally inner face directly adjacent andbetween the hereinbeiore described guide fingers Ill thereon, as shownin. dotted lines in Figure i of the drawings. In such positi-on, thelaterally extended and longitudinally aligned ears 29 will be abuttinglyengaged with adjacent portions of the fingers Id, white the arcuate orbowed portion 22 of the blade body recess 2i will abuttingly engage withthe adjacent portion of the near straight side of the basal portion I5of the screw-threaded stud 3. At this time, the guard plate I is engagedover the blade provided clamping plate 2, with its normally inner faceadjacent the same, permitting the screw-threaded stud 3 to engage in andthrough the opening II in the guard plate I. Concurrently, the guidefingers It and the adjustment indicating finger I8 on the clamping plate2, are engaged in and through their respective receiving openings I3 andIIJ in the guard plate I. The handle Il is now end-wise juxtaposed withrelation to the end portion of the screw-threaded stud 3 extendedthrough the opening II, and hence, through the swivel head element I2 ofthe guard plate I. Thereupon, the screw-threaded stud 3 is turned intoengagement with the internally screwthreaded co-axial opening in theadjacent end of said handle Ii. Prior to a full turning of the handle 4to a position to effect binding or clamping engagement between the guardand clamping plates i and 2, respectively, the adjusting screw Iii isturned either inwardly or outwardly with relation to its clamping plate2. During such turning of the adjusting screw It, it will be observed,on reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings, that theinner end of the screw will be so positioned with relation to the guardplate I, that this plate may assume different angular positions orpositions of relationship with respect to its companion plate 2 i. e.,the clamping plate. The character or extent of this relative movementbetween the guard and clamping plates l and 2 will be visually indicatedto a user of the razor by observing the markings H, M or L, on the faceside of the adjustment indicating finger I3 and their particularregistration or positioning with respect to the cooperating mark ormarking on the near edge portion of the guard plate I.

Because of the provision of the swivel-head element I2 on the guardplate I and its engagement in the cupped end portion 23 of the handleil, it is of importance to note that a firm or stable connection betweenthe interengageable members of the razor blade holder and the handle dwill be ensured; moreover, that with any change of the angularpositioning of the guard plate l with relation to the clamping plate 2,as shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, the

swivel-head element I2 will turn or rotate in the cupped portion 23 ofthe handle l to compensate for such change, and hence, will prevent theoccurrence or presence of space or crevices as between the engagedhandle and the guard plate I, in which foreign matters may accumulate.Consequently., sanita-ry characteristics of the improved razorconstruction will -be materially enhanced.

The handle 4, as will be fully understood by workers skilled in thisparticular art, may be of shape and size different from that hereinillustrated. I have found it preferable, in actual use of my improvedconstruction, to provide the peripheral surface of the cylindricalhandle 4 with relatively equi-spaced grooves or ways, generallyindicated by the numeral 24, and to knurl intermediate portions of thehandle, as at 25, to facilitate gripping of the same. Also, it ispreferable that the handle 4 shall be of hollow cylindrical constructionand that its normally outer end shall be closed by an appropriate cap,plug or other device, such as indicated by the numeral 26.

In concluding, attention is directed to the fact that when a user of theimproved razor construction has once effected an adjustment for aparticular shaving efficiency, as by turning the adjusting Screw I5 tothe required position with relation to the clamping plate 2, whereby toeffect the desired engagement with the guard plate I, the constructionmay be assembled and disassembledwithout further adjustment. This is tosay, the original adjustment of the adjusting screw I6 will maintain, sothat when the guard and clamping plates, with a shaving blade 6 securedtherebetween, are reassembled, their relative positioning, as originallyeffected, will be repeated.

By reason of the shoulder 3 formed on the normally inner face of theguard plate I, it will be understood and appreciated that an adjacentportion of the blade 6 secured between said plate I and the clampingplate 2, will be fulcrumingly engaged with said shoulder during relativeangular adjustment between the plates I and 2 through turning of theadjusting screw I6; this being in a manner similar to the mode ofoperation of the construction described and claimed in my aforesaidUnited States Letters Patent No. 2,348,590, dated May 9, 1944.

I claim:

l. A razor, including opposed inner and outer plates, means on one ofsaid plates engageable with the other plate for effecting variableangular adjustment therebetween, an angular plate adjustment indicatingfinger xed to and adjacent the normally outer edge portion of said outerplate disposed at substantially right angles thereto adapted, withangular adjustment between the plates, to move across the adjacent edgeof the inner plate whereby to indicate the extent of angular adjustmentbetween the inner and outer plates, a screw-threaded stud connected toand extended from the outer plate movably engaged through and extendedbeyond the inner plate, and a handle endwise movably receiving the innerplate and having said stud threadedly engaged in and with the same.

2. A razor, including a blade guard plate, a blade clamping plateadjacent the guard plate, rockable bearing means on one side of theguard plate, a handle having a cupped inner end rockably receiving saidbearing means therein, means on the clamping plate engaged with aportion of the guard plate for effecting variable adjustment betweensaid plates, an angular plate adjustment 7 8 indicating nger mounted onone of said plates REFERENCES CITED adjacent its normally outer edgeportion and dis- The following references are of record in the posed atright angles to said plate movable transfue of this patent: versely overand with relation to the corresponding edge of the other plate wherebyto indicate 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS the extent of angular adjustmentbetween the Number Name Date guard and clamping plates, and ascrew-threaded 1,247,267 Hartman Nov. 20, 1917 stud connected to andextending from the clamp- 1,288,827 Calleteau Dec. 24, 1918 ing platemovably engaged through the guard 1,785,652 Sasser Dec. 16, 1930 plateand the rockable bearing means and thread- 10 1,897,707 Muros Feb. 14,1933 edly engaged in and with said handle. 1,995,621 Moody Mar. 26, 1935JOSEPH RENE AYOTTE. 2,348,590 Ayotte May 9, 1944

